Semiconductor device and method of operating the same

ABSTRACT

A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a receptacle which comprises a plurality of pins according to a universal serial bus (USB) type-C receptacle interface and a power delivery integrated circuit (PD IC) which transmits a toggle voltage signal that toggles between a first voltage level and a second voltage level to a first pin among the pins and detects a voltage level of a signal output from the first pin.

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/680,535, filed on Aug. 18, 2017, which claims the benefit of KoreanPatent Application No. 10-2016-0108289, filed on Aug. 25, 2016 andKorean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0140948, filed on Oct. 27, 2016,in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure ofeach of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

Example embodiments of the inventive concepts relate to a semiconductordevice and/or a method of operating the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

Universal serial bus (USB) technology is being developed in line withthe trend toward a smaller, thinner, and lighter form factor. As arepresentative example, USB type-C technology defines a receptacle, aplug, and a cable that may meet this trend.

A USB type-C receptacle interface provides a pull-up current to aspecific pin (e.g., a CC1 signal pin or a CC2 signal pin) included in areceptacle and observes whether the specific pin is pulled up in orderto determine whether another USB device has been connected to thereceptacle. However, in some circumstances, even when no other USBdevice is connected to the receptacle, the pull-up current may beprovided to the specific pin.

For example, if foreign matter, particularly water, is applied to thereceptacle, the pull-up current may flow to a GND signal pin of thereceptacle, thereby corroding pins included in the receptacle, which maycause problems when providing bus power (V_(BUS)).

SUMMARY

Example embodiments of the inventive concepts provide a semiconductordevice configured to determine whether water has been applied to areceptacle before providing bus power (V_(BUS)).

Example embodiments of the inventive concepts also provide a method ofoperating a semiconductor device which can determine whether water hasbeen applied to a receptacle before providing bus power (V_(BUS)).

However, example embodiments of the inventive concepts are notrestricted to the one set forth herein. The above and other aspects ofthe inventive concepts will become more apparent to one of ordinaryskill in the art to which the inventive concept pertains by referencingthe detailed description of the inventive concept given below.

According to some example embodiments of the inventive concepts, thereis provided a semiconductor device a receptacle including a plurality ofpins according to a universal serial bus (USB) type-C receptacleinterface; and a power delivery integrated circuit (PD IC) configured totransmit a toggle voltage signal to a first pin among the pins such thatthe toggle voltage signal toggles between a first voltage level and asecond voltage level, and to detect a voltage level of a signal outputfrom the first pin.

According to some example embodiments of the inventive concepts, thereis provided a semiconductor device including a receptacle including aplurality of pins according to a USB type-C receptacle interface, theplurality of pins including a first pin and a second pin; a PD ICconfigured to transmit a voltage signal to the first pin, and to detecta signal output from the first pin; and a USB chipset configured totransmit a toggle voltage signal to the second pin such that the togglevoltage signal toggles between a first voltage level and a secondvoltage level, and to detect a voltage level of a signal output from thesecond pin.

According to some example embodiments of the inventive concepts, thereis provided a method of operating a semiconductor device, the methodincludes transmitting a toggle voltage signal to a first pin among aplurality of pins included in a receptacle according to a USB type-Creceptacle interface such that the toggle voltage toggles between afirst voltage level and a second voltage level; monitoring a voltagelevel of a signal output from the first pin for a period of time; anddetecting water in the receptacle based on whether the voltage level ofthe signal output from the first pin is within a range.

According to some example embodiments of the inventive concepts, thereis provided a semiconductor device that includes a receptacle includinga plurality of pins including a first pin and a second pin; a PD ICconfigured to detect a signal output from the first pin in response to asignal transmitted thereto; and a USB chipset configured to detect avoltage level of a signal output from the second pin in response to asignal transmitted thereto, wherein at least one of the PD IC and theUSB chipset is configured to transmit a toggle voltage signal to arespective one of the first pin and the second pin such that the togglevoltage signal toggles between a first voltage level and a secondvoltage level.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readilyappreciated from the following description of the example embodiments,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a semiconductor system according to anexample embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a USB type-C receptacle interface according to anexample embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a semiconductor device according to anexample embodiment.

FIG. 4A is a block diagram illustrating a pull-up operation of asemiconductor device according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 4B is a block diagram illustrating a pull-down operation of thesemiconductor device according to the example embodiment.

FIG. 4C is a block diagram illustrating an open operation of thesemiconductor device according to the example embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates an operation example of a semiconductor deviceaccording to an example embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates another operation example of the semiconductor deviceaccording to the example embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates another operation example of the semiconductor deviceaccording to the example embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates another operation example of the semiconductor deviceaccording to the example embodiment.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are flowcharts illustrating a method of operating asemiconductor device according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a semiconductor system according to anexample embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, the semiconductor system according to an exampleembodiment may include a universal serial bus (USB) host 100, a USBdevice 300, and a USB cable 200 which electrically connects the USB host100 and the USB device 300.

The USB host 100 is a host computer system equipped with a USB hostcontroller. The USB device 300 may include an auxiliary device or a hubthat meets the USB standard. The USB host 100 and the USB device 300 mayrespectively include receptacle interfaces 110 and 310 that conform to aUSB interface, and the receptacle interfaces 110 and 310 may beelectrically connected to each other by the USB cable 200.

In some example embodiments, the USB host 100 may provide a USB type-Cinterface. That is, the receptacle interface 110 of the USB host 100 maybe a USB type-C receptacle interface, and the USB cable 200 whichelectrically connects the USB host 100 and the USB device 300 may be aUSB type-C cable.

The USB type-C interface may be implemented based on, e.g., the USB 2.0or USB 3.1 definition.

FIG. 2 illustrates a USB type-C receptacle interface according to anexample embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2, a USB type-C receptacle may be upside up or upsidedown. In addition, the USB-type-C receptacle may have the same interfacewith either of the USB host 100 and the USB device 300.

The receptacle interface includes a plurality of pins A1 through A12 andB1 through B12.

Specifically, the pins A1, A12, B1 and B12 correspond to GND signalpins, and the pins A4, A9, B4 and B9 correspond to USB cable bus power(V_(BUS)) signal pins. These pins provide power and ground voltagesignals.

The pins A2, A3, B11 and B10 correspond to a TX1+ signal pin, a TX1−signal pin, an RX1+ signal pin and an RX1− signal pin, respectively. Thepins B2, B3, A11 and A10 correspond to a TX2+ signal pin, a TX2− signalpin, an RX2+ signal pin and an RX2− signal pin, respectively. These pinsprovide a data transfer path according to USB 3.1.

The pins A6 and A7 correspond to a D+ signal pin and a D− signal pin,respectively. The pins B6 and B7 correspond to another D+ signal pin andanother D− signal pin, respectively. These pins provide a data transferpath according to USB 2.0.

The pins A8 and B8 correspond to an SBU1 signal pin and an SBU2 signalpin, respectively. These pins correspond to sideband use pins.

The pins A5 and B5 correspond to a CC1 signal pin and a CC2 signal pin,respectively. These pins correspond to pins that sense the connection ofa USB device and set an interface using a USB type-C cable andconnector.

This receptacle interface is merely an example of the USB type-Creceptacle interface and can be modified according to a specificimplementation purpose as obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a semiconductor device according to anexample embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 3, the semiconductor device according to an exampleembodiment may be a USB host 100. The USB host 100 may include areceptacle interface 110, a USB chipset 120, and a power deliveryintegrated circuit (PD IC) 130.

Likewise, a USB device 300 may include a receptacle interface 310, a USBchipset 320, and a PD IC 330.

The USB host 100 and the USB device 300 may exchange data through acable 200 by using the receptacle interface 110 and the receptacleinterface 310, respectively.

Each of the receptacle interfaces 110 and 310 includes a plurality ofpins for implementing an interface such as the interface described abovewith reference to FIG. 2. In some example embodiments, the receptacleinterface 110 according to various example embodiments may furtherinclude a MID (RID) pin 112 in addition to the pins described above withreference to FIG. 2.

The USB chipset 120 and the PD 130 may each include memory andprocessing circuitry (not shown).

The memory may include may include a non-transitory computer readablemedium. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media includemagnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape;optical media such as CD ROM discs and DVDs; magneto-optical media suchas optical discs; and hardware devices that are specially configured tostore and perform program instructions, such as read-only memory (ROM),random access memory (RAM), flash memory, and the like. Thenon-transitory computer-readable media may also be a distributednetwork, so that the program instructions are stored and executed in adistributed fashion.

The processing circuitry may include a processor, Central ProcessingUnit (CPU), a controller, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digitalsignal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array(FPGA), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), aSystem-on-Chip (SoC), a programmable logic unit, a microprocessor, orany other device capable of performing operations in a defined manner.

The processing circuitry may be configured, through a layout designand/or execution of computer readable instructions stored in the memory,as a special purpose computer to communicate with the USB device 300 bydetecting the presence of the USB device 300.

The USB chipset 120 may input and output a TX1+/− signal, an RX1+/−signal, a TX2+/− signal, an RX2+/− signal, a D+/− signal, an SBU1 signaland an SBU2 signal and exchange these signals with the USB chipset 320.Similarly, the USB chipset 320 may input and output an RX1+/− signal, aTX1+/− signal, an RX2+/− signal, a TX2+/− signal, a D+/− signal, an SBU1signal and an SBU2 signal and exchange these signals with the USBchipset 120.

The PD IC 130 may input and output a USB cable bus power (V_(BUS))signal, a CC1 signal, a CC2 signal and a GND signal and exchange thesesignals with the PD IC 330. Similarly, the PD IC 330 may input andoutput a USB cable bus power (V_(BUS)) signal, a CC1 signal, a CC2signal and a GND signal and exchange these signals with the PD IC 130.

Here, the CC1 signal and the CC2 signal are configuration channelsignals and used to detect whether the USB host 100 and the USB device300 are connected to each other.

A USB type-C receptacle interface provides a pull-up current to a CC1signal pin and a CC2 signal pin included in the receptacle interface 110and observes whether the CC1 signal pin or the CC2 signal pin is pulleddown in order to determine whether the USB device 300 has been connectedto the USB host 100.

Specifically, before the USB host 100 and the USB device 300 areconnected by the cable 200, a pull-up current is supplied to the CC1signal pin of the USB host 100 while the CC1 signal pin of the USBdevice 300 is connected to GND through a pull-down resistor Rd. When theUSB host 100 and the USB device 300 are connected by the cable 200, thecurrent being supplied to the CC1 signal pin of the USB host 100 isdelivered to the CC1 signal pin of the USB host 100 through the cable200 and then flows to GND through the pull-down resistor Rd connected tothe CC1 signal pin of the USB device 300. That is, the USB type-Creceptacle interface may determine whether the USB host 100 and the USB300 have been connected by the cable 200 by observing a change in thevoltage levels of the CC1 signal pin and the CC2 signal pin included inthe receptacle interface 110.

However, if the USB device 300 is not connected to the receptacleinterface 110 of the USB host 100 and if foreign matter, particularlywater, is applied to the receptacle interface 110, the current beingsupplied to the CC1 signal pin of the USB host 100 may be pulled downthrough, e.g., a GND signal pin of the USB host 100 due to the water.Therefore, it may be difficult to determine whether the cause of thepull-down is the connection of the USB device 300 or the application ofthe water by simply observing a change in the voltage levels of the CC1signal pin and the CC2 signal pin included in the receptacle interface110.

Therefore, in one or more embodiments, a semiconductor device isconfigured to provide a toggle voltage signal that is repeatedly pulledup and pulled down or repeatedly pulled up and opened to toggle betweenvoltage levels to a plurality of pins, e.g., the CC1 signal pin and theCC2 signal pin included in the receptacle interface 110 of the USB host100. The semiconductor device may observe a change in the voltage levelsof the plurality of pins e.g., the CC1 signal pin and the CC2 signalpin. In this way, whether water has been applied to the receptacleinterface 110 is determined.

The pull-up, pull-down, and open operations of a semiconductor deviceaccording to an example embodiment will hereinafter be described withreference to FIGS. 4A through 4C.

FIG. 4A is a block diagram illustrating a pull-up operation of asemiconductor device according to an example embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4A, a USB host 100, that is, a semiconductor device100 according to an example embodiment may include a pull-up resistorRp1 and a pull-down resistor Rd1. In addition, a USB device 300 includesa pull-up resistor Rp2 and a pull-down resistor Rd2.

The pull-up resistors Rp1 and Rp2 described in the current exampleembodiment can be expressed as current sources in circuits. In thiscase, each of the current sources corresponding to the pull-up resistorsRp1 and Rp2 may be designed to output a current in the range of, e.g.,80 uA+/−20%, 180 uA+/−8%, or 330 uA+/−8% according to the requirementsof the USB type-C specification. However, the scope of exampleembodiments of the inventive concepts is not limited to this case, and acurrent source having a different capacitance can also be used dependingon the purpose of implementation.

Each of the pull-down resistors Rd1 and Rd2 described in the currentexample embodiment may be designed to have a value of, e.g., 5.1 kΩaccording to the requirements of the USB type-C specification. However,the scope of example embodiments of the inventive concepts is notlimited to this case, and a resistor having a different resistance valuecan also be used depending on the purpose of implementation.

A cable 200 may be connected to the pull-up resistors Rp1 and Rp2 or thepull-down resistors Rd1 and Rd2 by pins included in a receptacleinterface 110.

The pull-up operation of the USB host 100 refers to an operation ofpulling up a specific pin in the receptacle interface 110. The pull-upresistor Rp1 may be connected to the cable 200 and the pull-downresistor Rd1 may be disconnected from the cable 200 by opening andclosing a switch in the USB host 100 of FIG. 4A. Accordingly, a pull-upcurrent may be provided to the specific pin.

In this case, if the USB device 300 is connected to the USB host 100,the pull-up current may flow through the cable 200 to GND via thepull-down resistor Rd2 of the USB device 300.

FIG. 4B is a block diagram illustrating a pull-down operation of thesemiconductor device according to an example embodiment.

The pull-down operation of the USB host 100 refers to an operation ofpulling down a specific pin in the receptacle interface 110. Thepull-down resistor Rd1 may be connected to the cable 200 and the pull-upresistor Rp1 may be disconnected from the cable 200 by opening andclosing the switch in the USB host 100 of FIG. 4B.

FIG. 4C is a block diagram illustrating an open operation of thesemiconductor device according to an example embodiment.

The open operation of the USB host 100 refers to an operation of openinga specific pin in the receptacle interface 110. In FIG. 4C, the switchin the USB host 100 is open. In other words, the pull-up resistor Rp1and the pull-down resistor Rd1 are disconnected from the cable 200.

FIG. 5 illustrates an operation example of a semiconductor deviceaccording to an example embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, a toggle voltage signal is transmitted to a firstpin (PIN1). Specifically, a toggle voltage signal that toggles between afirst voltage level and a second voltage level is transmitted to thefirst pin. The first voltage level may correspond to PU in FIG. 5, andthe second voltage level may correspond to OP or PD in FIG. 5.

In some example embodiments, the first pin may include any one of a CC1signal pin and a CC2 signal pin. In this case, a PD IC 130 transmits thetoggle voltage signal to the first pin.

In some an example embodiments, the first pin may include any one of aTX1+ signal pin, a TX1− signal pin, an RX1+ signal pin, an RX1− signalpin, a TX2+ signal pin, a TX2− signal pin, an RX2+ signal pin, an RX2−signal pin, a D+ signal pin, a D− signal pin, an SBU1 signal pin, anSBU2 signal pin, and a MID (RID) pin. In this case, a USB chipset 120transmits the toggle voltage signal to the first pin.

In a first period I, a toggle voltage signal repeatedly pulled up andpulled down may be generated and transmitted to the first pin. In thiscase, time lengths of a pulled-up section and a pulled-down section ofthe toggle voltage signal may be equal or different from each other.

For example, a toggle voltage signal transmitted to the first pin in thefirst period I may be repeatedly pulled up and pulled down to togglebetween the first voltage level (PU) and the second voltage level (PD).In this case, time lengths of a pulled-up section and a pulled-downsection of the toggle voltage signal may be equal to each other.

Here, the toggle voltage signal transmitted to the first pin in thefirst period I may be set to have a first frequency. That is, the lengthof a pair of the pulled-up section and the pulled-down section, that is,the length of a unit section may be set to, for example, t1.

In some example embodiments, t1 may be set to, for example, about 1 ms.In addition, the toggle voltage signal may be set to include, forexample, 10 unit sections in the first period I.

In a second period II, a toggle voltage signal repeatedly pulled up andopened may be generated and transmitted to the first pin. In this case,time lengths of a pulled-up section and an opened section of the togglevoltage signal may be equal or different from each other.

For example, a toggle voltage signal transmitted to the first pin in thesecond period II may be repeatedly pulled up and opened to togglebetween the first voltage level (PU) and the second voltage level (OP).In this case, time lengths of a pulled-up section and an opened sectionof the toggle voltage signal may be equal to each other.

Here, the toggle voltage signal transmitted to the first pin in thesecond period II may be set to have a second frequency different fromthe first frequency. That is, the length of a pair of the pulled-upsection and the pulled-down section, that is, the length of a unitsection, may be set to, for example, t2. In the current exampleembodiment, the second frequency is higher than the first frequency.

In some an example embodiments, t2 may be set to, for example, about 0.1ms. In addition, the toggle voltage signal may be set to include, forexample, 10 unit sections in the second period II.

After these toggle voltage signals are transmitted to the first pin, thePD IC 130 or the USB chipset 120 detects whether foreign matter (e.g.,water) exists in a receptacle based on whether the voltage level of asignal output from the first pin falls within a desired (or,alternatively, a predetermined) range.

Here, the desired (or, alternatively, predetermined) range may include avoltage level range greater than a voltage level judged to be logic low(L) at the first pin and less than a voltage level judged to be logichigh (H) at the first pin.

For example, when the voltage level judged to be logic low (L) at thefirst pin is 0 V to 150 mV and the voltage level judged to be logic high(H) is 2.4 to 3.4 V, the PD IC 130 or the USB chipset 120 may determinewhether the voltage level of a signal output from the first pin iswithin the range of more than 150 mV and less than 2.4 V. When thevoltage level of the signal output from the first pin is within therange of 150 mV to 2.4 V, the PD IC 130 or the USB chipset 120 maydetermine that there is water providing a false indicia of a connectionto the USB device. When the voltage level of the signal output from thefirst pin is not within the range of 150 mV to 2.4 V, the PD IC 130 orthe USB chipset 120 may determine that there is no water, and forexample, that a USB device 300 has been connected.

In some example embodiments, the above determination may be made asfollows. When the number of times where a signal output from the firstpin as a result of transmitting a toggle voltage signal including N unitsections (where N is a natural number) to the first pin is within therange is equal or greater than M (where M is a natural number smallerthan or equal to N), it may be determined that water is present. Whenthe number of cases where the signal output from the first pin is withinthe range is smaller than M, it may be determined that no water ispresent. Here. N and M can be set to various values according to thespecific purpose of design.

The water may include salt water and fresh water. An equivalentresistance value of the fresh water is larger than that of the saltwater, and an equivalent capacitor value of the fresh water is lowerthan that of the salt water. To discriminate between the fresh water andthe salt water, a toggle voltage signal may be transmitted to the firstpin under different conditions.

In this case, whether the salt water exists in the receptacle may bedetected in the first period I. and whether the fresh water exists inthe receptacle may be detected in the second period II.

If it is determined that the salt water of the receptacle has beendetected in the first period I, the PD IC 130 may delay the supply ofbus power V_(BUS) and continuously repeat the water detection. Inaddition, if it is determined that the fresh water of the receptacle hasbeen detected in the second period II although the salt water of thereceptacle has not been detected in the first period I, the PD IC 130may delay the supply of the bus power V_(BUS) and continuously repeatthe water detection.

In the current example embodiment, a case where the fresh water isdetected after the salt water has been described. However, the order ofdetection may vary. In addition, in the current example embodiment, acase where detection is performed twice in the first period I and thesecond period II has been described. However, the detection can also beperformed three or more times by varying the setting of the togglevoltage signal to detect various types of water.

FIG. 6 illustrates another operation example of the semiconductor deviceaccording to an example embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, a toggle voltage signal transmitted to the firstpin in the first period I is repeatedly pulled up and pulled down totoggle between a first voltage level (PU) and a second voltage level(PD). In this case, time lengths of a pulled-up section and apulled-down section of the toggle voltage signal may be equal to eachother.

Here, the toggle voltage signal transmitted to the first pin in thefirst period I may be set to have a first frequency. That is, the lengthof a pair of the pulled-up section and the pulled-down section, that is,the length of a unit section may be set to, for example, t1.

In some example embodiments, t1 may be set to, for example, about 1 ms.In addition, the toggle voltage signal may be set to include, forexample, 10 unit sections in the first period I.

A toggle voltage signal transmitted to the first pin in the secondperiod II may be repeatedly pulled up and opened to toggle between thefirst voltage level (PU) and the second voltage level (OP). In thiscase, time lengths of a pulled-up section and an opened section of thetoggle voltage signal may be different from each other.

Here, the toggle voltage signal transmitted to the first pin in thesecond period II may be set to have a second frequency different fromthe first frequency. That is, the length of a pair of the pulled-upsection and the pulled-down section, that is, the length of a unitsection, may be set to, for example, t3. In the current exampleembodiment, the second frequency is higher than the first frequency.

In some example embodiments, t3 may be set to, for example, about 0.11ms. In particular, time lengths t31 and t32 of the pulled-up and openedsections of the toggle voltage signal may be set to about 0.1 ms andabout 0.01 ms, respectively. In addition, the toggle voltage signal maybe set to include, for example, 10 unit sections in the second periodII.

After these toggle voltage signals are transmitted to the first pin, thePD IC 130 or the USB chipset 120 detects whether water exists in thereceptacle based on whether the voltage level of a signal output fromthe first pin falls within a desired (or, alternatively, apredetermined) range.

As described above with reference to FIG. 5, whether salt water existsin the receptacle may be detected in the first period I, and whetherfresh water exists in the receptacle may be detected in the secondperiod II.

If it is determined that the salt water of the receptacle has beendetected in the first period I, the PD IC 130 may delay the supply ofthe bus power V_(BUS) and continuously repeat the water detection. Inaddition, if it is determined that the fresh water of the receptacle hasbeen detected in the second period II although the salt water of thereceptacle has not been detected in the first period I, the PD IC 130may delay the supply of the bus power V_(BUS) and continuously repeatthe water detection.

FIG. 7 illustrates another operation example of the semiconductor deviceaccording to an example embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7, a toggle voltage signal transmitted to the firstpin in the first period I is repeatedly pulled up and pulled down totoggle between a first voltage level (PU) and a second voltage level(PD). In this case, time lengths of a pulled-up section and apulled-down section of the toggle voltage signal may be equal to eachother.

Here, the toggle voltage signal transmitted to the first pin in thefirst period I may be set to have a first frequency. That is, the lengthof a pair of the pulled-up section and the pulled-down section, that is,the length of a unit section may be set to, for example, t4.

In some example embodiments, t4 may be set to, for example, about 1 ms.In addition, the toggle voltage signal may be set to include, forexample, 10 unit sections in the first period I.

A toggle voltage signal transmitted to the first pin in the secondperiod II may be repeatedly pulled up and pulled down to toggle betweenthe first voltage level (PU) and the second voltage level (PD). In thiscase, time lengths of a pulled-up section and a pulled-down section ofthe toggle voltage signal may be equal to each other.

Here, the toggle voltage signal transmitted to the first pin in thesecond period II may be set to have a second frequency different fromthe first frequency. That is, the length of a pair of the pulled-upsection and the pulled-down section, that is, the length of a unitsection, may be set to, for example, t5. In the current exampleembodiment, the second frequency is higher than the first frequency.

In some example embodiments, t5 may be set to, for example, about 0.10ms. In addition, the toggle voltage signal may be set to include, forexample, 10 unit sections in the second period II.

After these toggle voltage signals are transmitted to the first pin, thePD IC 130 or the USB chipset 120 detects whether water exists in thereceptacle based on whether the voltage level of a signal output fromthe first pin falls within a desired (or, alternatively, apredetermined) range.

As described above with reference to FIG. 5, whether salt water existsin the receptacle may be detected in the first period I, and whetherfresh water exists in the receptacle may be detected in the secondperiod II.

If it is determined that the salt water of the receptacle has beendetected in the first period I, the PD IC 130 may delay the supply ofthe bus power V_(BUS) and continuously repeat the water detection. Inaddition, if it is determined that the fresh water of the receptacle hasbeen detected in the second period II although the salt water of thereceptacle has not been detected in the first period I, the PD IC 130may delay the supply of the bus power V_(BUS) and continuously repeatthe water detection.

FIG. 8 illustrates another operation example of the semiconductor deviceaccording to an example embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 8, a toggle voltage signal transmitted to the firstpin in the first period I is repeatedly pulled up and pulled down totoggle between a first voltage level (PU) and a second voltage level(PD). In this case, time lengths of a pulled-up section and apulled-down section of the toggle voltage signal may be equal to eachother.

Here, the toggle voltage signal transmitted to the first pin in thefirst period I may be set to have a first frequency. That is, the lengthof a pair of the pulled-up section and the pulled-down section, that is,the length of a unit section may be set to, for example, t4.

In some example embodiments, t4 may be set to, for example, about 1 ms.In addition, the toggle voltage signal may be set to include, forexample, 10 unit sections in the first period I.

A toggle voltage signal transmitted to the first pin in the secondperiod II may be repeatedly pulled up and pulled down to toggle betweenthe first voltage level (PU) and the second voltage level (PD). In thiscase, time lengths of a pulled-up section and a pulled-down section ofthe toggle voltage signal may be different from each other.

Here, the toggle voltage signal transmitted to the first pin in thesecond period II may be set to have a second frequency different fromthe first frequency. That is, the length of a pair of the pulled-upsection and the pulled-down section, that is, the length of a unitsection, may be set to, for example, t6. In the current exampleembodiment, the second frequency is higher than the first frequency.

In some example embodiments, t6 may be set to, for example, about 0.11ms. In particular, time lengths t61 and t62 of the pulled-up andpulled-down sections of the toggle voltage signal may be set to about0.1 ms and about 0.01 ms, respectively. In addition, the toggle voltagesignal may be set to include, for example, 10 unit sections in thesecond period II.

After these toggle voltage signals are transmitted to the first pin, thePD IC 130 or the USB chipset 120 detects whether water exists in thereceptacle based on whether the voltage level of a signal output fromthe first pin falls within a desired (or, alternatively, predetermined)range.

As described above with reference to FIG. 5, whether salt water existsin the receptacle may be detected in the first period I. and whetherfresh water exists in the receptacle may be detected in the secondperiod II.

If it is determined that the salt water of the receptacle has beendetected in the first period I, the PD IC 130 may delay the supply ofthe bus power V_(BUS) and continuously repeat the water detection. Inaddition, if it is determined that the fresh water of the receptacle hasbeen detected in the second period II although the salt water of thereceptacle has not been detected in the first period I, the PD IC 130may delay the supply of the bus power V_(Bu)s and continuously repeatthe water detection.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are flowcharts illustrating a method of operating asemiconductor device according to an example embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 9, in the method of operating a semiconductor deviceaccording to the current example embodiment, in operation S901, a PD IC130 may be powered on.

In operation S903, the PD IC 130 or the USB chipset 120 may determinewhether to enter a protection mode.

Unlike a normal mode in which a downstream facing port (DFP), anupstream facing port (UFP), and a dual-role port (DRP) according to theUSB type-C specification are performed, the protection mode is anoperation mode in which it is determined whether water has been appliedto a receptacle interface 110.

If the PD IC 130 or the USB chipset 120 determines to enter the normalmode instead of the protection mode, in operation S907, the DFP, theUFP, and the DRP according to the USB type-C specification are performedto detect a USB device 300.

If the PD IC 130 or the USB chipset 120 determines to enter theprotection mode, in operation S905, as discussed in more detail belowwith reference to FIG. 10, the PD IC 130 or the USB chipset 120 maydetermine whether water has been applied to the receptacle interface 110of a USB host 100.

If water has been applied to the receptacle interface 110, the PD IC 130or the USB chipset 120 may repeat operation S905.

When no water is detected in the receptacle interface 110, in operationS907, the DFP, the UFP, and the DRP according to the USB type-Cspecification are performed in the normal mode using a first current todetermine whether the USB device 300 has been connected.

When the USB device 300 is determined as being connected, in operationS909, the PD IC 130 may supply a USB cable bus power (V_(BUS)) signal tothe USB device 300.

Referring to FIG. 10, operation S905 of FIG. 9 may include operationsS9051 through S9057.

In operation S9051, the PD IC 130 or the USB chipset 120 may transmit afirst toggle voltage signal that toggles between a first voltage leveland a second voltage level to a first pin among a plurality of pinsaccording to a USB type-C receptacle interface. Then, the PD IC 130 orthe USB chipset 120 may monitor the voltage level of a signal outputfrom the first pin for a desired (or, alternatively, a predetermined)period of time.

For example, the first toggle voltage signal may be a toggle voltagesignal used to detect salt water in the first period I of FIGS. 5through 8.

In operation S9053, the PD IC 130 or the USB chipset 120 may determinewhether water is present in a receptacle based on whether the voltagelevel of the signal output from the first pin falls within a desired(or, alternatively, a predetermined) range. For example, the presence ofwater may be determined based on whether the voltage level of the signaloutput from the first pin is within a voltage level range greater than avoltage level judged to be logic low (L) at the first pin and less thana voltage level judged to be logic high (H) at the first pin.

When water is detected (Y in operation S9053), the PD IC 130 may delaythe supply of the bus power V_(BUS), and the water detection may becontinuously repeated.

When water is not detected (N in operation S9053), at step S9055, the PDIC 130 or the USB chipset 120 may transmit a second toggle voltagesignal that toggles between a third voltage level and a fourth voltagelevel to the first pin among the pins according to the USB type-Creceptacle interface. Then, the PD IC 130 or the USB chipset 120 maymonitor the voltage level of a signal output from the first pin for adesired (or, alternatively, predetermined) period of time.

For example, the second toggle voltage signal in operation S9057 may bea toggle voltage signal used to detect fresh water in the second periodII of FIGS. 5 through 8.

In operation S9057, the PD IC 130 or the USB chipset 120 may determinewhether water is present in the receptacle based on whether the voltagelevel of the signal output from the first pin falls within a desired(or, alternatively, a predetermined) range. For example, the presence ofwater is determined based on whether the voltage level of the signaloutput from the first pin is within a voltage level range greater than avoltage level judged to be logic low (L) at the first pin and less thana voltage level judged to be logic high (H) at the first pin.

When water is detected (Y in operation S9057), the PD IC 130 may delaythe supply of the bus power V_(BUS), and the water detection may becontinuously repeated.

When water is not detected (N in operation S9057), the PD IC 130 or theUSB chipset 120 may perform operation S907 of FIG. 9.

According to various example embodiments, it may possible to effectivelyreduce a probability of (or, alternatively, prevent) pins included in areceptacle from being corroded by foreign matter, particularly, waterapplied to a USB type-C receptacle interface. In addition, it maypossible to effectively discriminate between various types of waterincluding fresh water and salt water.

While example embodiments of the inventive concepts have beenparticularly shown and described with reference to some exampleembodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill inthe art that various changes in form and details may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the inventive concepts asdefined by the following claims. It is therefore desired that thepresent example embodiments be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appendedclaims rather than the foregoing description to indicate the scope ofthe example embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of operating a semiconductor device, themethod comprising: transmitting a toggle voltage signal to a first pinamong a plurality of pins included in a receptacle according to a USBtype-C receptacle interface such that the toggle voltage toggles betweena first voltage level and a second voltage level, the transmittingincluding transmitting, to the first pin, a first toggle voltage signalwhich toggles at a first frequency, and subsequently transmitting, tothe first pin, a second toggle voltage signal which toggles at a secondfrequency different from the first frequency; monitoring a voltage levelof a signal output from the first pin for a period of time; anddetecting water in the USB type-C receptacle based on whether thevoltage level of the signal output from the first pin is within a rangein response to the transmitting of the first toggle voltage signal andsubsequently the second toggle voltage signal to the first pin.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the transmitting transmits the toggle voltagesignal such that the toggle voltage signal is repeatedly pulled up by apull-up circuit and pulled down by a pull-down circuit and transmittedto the first pin, the pull-up circuit including a pull-up resistorconnected between a supply voltage and the first pin and the pull-downcircuit including a pull-down resistor connected between a groundvoltage and the first pin.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein timelengths of a pulled-up section and a pulled-down section of the togglevoltage signal are equal to each other.
 4. The method of claim 2,wherein time lengths of a pulled-up section and a pulled-down section ofthe toggle voltage signal are different from each other.
 5. The methodof claim 1, wherein the transmitting transmits the toggle voltage signalsuch that the toggle voltage signal is repeatedly pulled up by a pull-upcircuit, the first pin is subsequently disconnected from the pull-upcircuit, and the toggle voltage signal is transmitted to the first pin,the pull-up circuit including a pull-up resistor connected between asupply voltage and the first pin.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein timelengths of a pulled-up section and an opened section of the togglevoltage signal are equal to each other.
 7. The method of claim 5,wherein time lengths of a pulled-up section and an opened section of thetoggle voltage signal are different from each other.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the range is greater than a voltage level judged to belogic low and less than a voltage level judged to be logic high.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: delaying supplying of a bus poweruntil the detecting determines that water is not present in thereceptacle.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first pin includesany one of a configuration channel 1 (CC1) signal pin, a configurationchannel 2 (CC2) signal pin, a TX1+ signal pin, a TX1− signal pin, anRX1+ signal pin, an RX1− signal pin, a TX2+ signal pin, a TX2− signalpin, an RX2+ signal pin, an RX2− signal pin, a D+ signal pin, a D−signal pin, an SBU1 signal pin, an SBU2 signal pin, and a MID (RID) pinamong the plurality of pins.
 11. A semiconductor device comprising: areceptacle including a plurality of pins according to a universal serialbus (USB) type-C receptacle interface; and a power delivery integratedcircuit (PD IC) configured to, generate a toggle voltage signal suchthat the toggle voltage signal is repeatedly pulled up to a firstvoltage level by connecting a first pin among the pins to a pull-upcircuit and pulled down to a second voltage level by one ofdisconnecting the first pin from the pull-up circuit or connecting thefirst pin to a pull-down circuit, and the toggle voltage signal includesa first toggle voltage signal which toggles at a first frequency and asecond toggle voltage signal which toggles at a second frequencydifferent from the first frequency, and detect water in the receptacleby, transmitting the first toggle voltage signal to the first pin andsubsequently transmitting the second toggle voltage signal to the firstpin such that the toggle voltage signal toggles between the firstvoltage level and the second voltage level, detecting a voltage level ofa signal output from the first pin, and detecting whether water ispresent in the receptacle based on based on whether the voltage level ofthe signal output from the first pin is within a range, the range beinggreater than a voltage level judged to be logic low and less than avoltage level judged to be logic high.
 12. The semiconductor device ofclaim 11, wherein time lengths of a pulled-up section and a pulled-downsection of the toggle voltage signal are equal to each other.
 13. Thesemiconductor device of claim 11, wherein time lengths of a pulled-upsection and a pulled-down section of the toggle voltage signal aredifferent from each other.
 14. A semiconductor device comprising: areceptacle including a plurality of pins according to a USB type-Creceptacle interface, the plurality of pins including a first pin and asecond pin; a PD IC configured to transmit a voltage signal to the firstpin, and to detect a signal output from the first pin; and a USB chipsetconfigured to, generate a toggle voltage signal such that the togglevoltage signal is repeatedly pulled up to a first voltage level byconnecting the first pin to a pull-up circuit and pulled down to asecond voltage level by one of disconnecting the first pin from thepull-up circuit or connecting the first pin to a pull-down circuit andthe toggle voltage signal includes a first toggle voltage signal whichtoggles at a first frequency and a second toggle voltage signal whichtoggles at a second frequency different from the first frequency, anddetect water in the receptacle by, transmitting the first toggle voltagesignal to the second pin and subsequently transmitting the second togglevoltage signal to the second pin such that the toggle voltage signaltoggles between the first voltage level and the second voltage level,detecting a voltage level of a signal output from the second pin, anddetecting whether water is present in the receptacle based on whetherthe voltage level of the signal output from the second pin is within arange, the range being greater than a voltage level judged to be logiclow and less than a voltage level judged to be logic high.
 15. Thesemiconductor device of claim 14, wherein the USB chipset is configuredto generate the toggle voltage signal such that the toggle voltagesignal is repeatedly pulled up and opened, and to transmit the togglevoltage signal to the second pin.
 16. The semiconductor device of claim15, wherein time lengths of a pulled-up section and an opened section ofthe toggle voltage signal are equal to each other.
 17. The semiconductordevice of claim 15, wherein time lengths of a pulled-up section and anopened section of the toggle voltage signal are different.